The state of Washington will not meet its target of state vehicles and ferries using biofuels for at least 20 percent of its fuel usage, the Seattle Times reports. The state has a June 1 deadline for alternative fuels to compromise a fifth of its fuel usage. As of the end of 2008, biofuels captured a mere 2.1 percent of fuel usage — the best since the goal became law three years ago.

Gov. Chris Gregoire said her staff has meetings scheduled with department heads in June to talk about how to incorporate more biofuel usage. “I don’t want to lose the momentum that we’ve built up,” said Gregoire in The Herald of Everett. “We’re going to get there but it’s going to take more time than what was originally projected.”

In January 2005, then-Gov. Gary Locke gave state agencies until September 1, 2009, to use at least 20 percent biofuel. Gregoire signed a law in 2006 that required a blend of not less than 2 percent biofuel starting June 1, 2006, and culminating in a 20 percent blend by June 1, 2009.

No penalties are associated with noncompliance of the law. A study looking into biofuel usage found that high prices and limited supplies contributed to the slow adoption of the alternative fuels.